The Labor enquirer., 1887-07-09


lutely necessary, and the step we have
now taken is the best we have been able
to devise to elicit such declaration OF
opinion not only from the officers of the
X. of L. but from the members at large.
The letter will speak for itself, and we
have only to add that it seems to us that
! both in our character of citizens and
Knights Of Labor we have imposed on us
duty not only to declare our own opin-
ions, but also to do our utmost to induce
others to do 70. The following is copy
of the letter sent:
Sanctuary of Eureka L. A., X. of L.,
S133, 213 Second street, Portland, Oregon,
June IA, lss7.-To Henry George, Esq, rs
Ann street, New York, Sir:-It cannot
have escaped your attention that there is
much discomfort within the ranks of the
Knights of Labor. In saying this we be-
tray no confidence, since the matter has
been alluded to by General Master Work
man Powderly in recent public addresses
and in his interviews with reporters. This
assembly is, in common with many others,
keenly interested in this matter; has care
fully followed the course of events for
many months past and has come to GER
tain definite conclusions.
1t understands distinctly that the oppo-
sition which is now being manifested to
Mr.. Powderly in particular, is in no way
based upon personal antipathy, but en-
tieely upon grounds of principle. The
pith of the case is this: In our assembly
as in numerous others the majority Of the
members joined in the belief that the Or
ganization in general and the general
master workman in particular stood
pledged to certain radical propositions
on the labor question.
They considered in particular that
when three and half years ago circulars
we're sent out over the signature of Mr..
Powderly urging all members Of the order
to purchase and study Progress and Pow
erty" and "Social Problems" such action
was tantamount to a declaration on the
part of Mr.. Powderly and the then execu-
tive board that they believed and wanted
us to believe in the abolition. of private
property in land without the payment of
any compensation whatever. The present
opposition to Mr.. Powderly is based upon
the belief that he has receded from this
and other advanced positions, but that he
has not the courage to say that he has SO
receded. Now harmony is impossible un-
til we know exactly where Mr.. Powderly,
where the executive board, and where the
organization stands upon this the bottom
question of all. We desire an open de-
claration one way or the other. To shirk
a straight answer to this crying question
is fraught with the gravest danger; to
evade it by delivering throughout the
country powerful philippics against rum
is far more than mere evasion, it is de-
liberate leading of the people astray on
false scent.
You, sir; the men you have gathered
around you; and the paper you edit stand
to-day in this country as the representa-
tive champions of the doctrine that the
land belongs to the people, collectively.
You are daily urging the necessity of
speaking out on this question. We feel
the necessity of such outspoken speech,
and we are anxious that you should aid us
in wringihg from the 100000 members
Of the X. of l.. a frank, fearless declara-
tion upon this question.
We feel that when as an organization
We have plucked up courage to do our
duty to humanity by declaring our opin-
ion on this subject we shall be powerful
not before. We therefore send you this
letter trusting that you may think it
worthy Of notice; and, that we may guard
ourselves against the charge of secret
plotting, we desire to add that we have in
structed our propaganda committee to
notify the order and the labor press of
the step we have taken in soliciting your
aida step dictated by burning desire
for the welfare of the order, of the nation,
and Of that humanity of which we are
part.
Signed in behalf of the assembly BY
E. Girard, NJ. w., and Richard Harper,
r. s."
Such, dear sir, is the appeal We have
sent to Mr.. Henry George, and We have
now to ask you to aid us in putting to
our fellow-workers the question whether
they are not bound in justice to them
selves and to the order to take this land
question under serious consideration, to
form definite opinions upon it, and to
publish fearlessly to the world such opin-
ions as honest examination of the ques-
tion may have caused them to form.
Signed in behalf Of the propaganda
committee, R. THOMPSON,
SKAL1 W. G. Owxs,
RICHARD HARPER.